TTBear:
Thanks for posting your detail on this icon exotic sports car of the `80`s. Gotta say that your post format mirrors Sizzle Chest`s, which is a good thing. Taking the time to create and post the pics and text in this format means a lot, and we Autopians are the benefactors of that effort.
THANKS!!!! Wow - to be even mentioned in the same sentence as Sizzle Chest is huge, for me! If I can contribute on this amazing forum, I am thrilled to do so!
SO, in true Captain Obvious fashion, here are my questions (Sizzle Chest is just rolling with laughter, thinking, "FINALLY, it`s someone else`s turn! Now you will know what I go through.")
1) Do you clean your pads stained with dead single-stage paint after using them, or just throw them away?
Great question - I thought long and hard about cleaning vs chucking....in the end, I took my time with soaking (Poorboy`s Pad Cleaner and Conditioner), and judiciously working each pad by hand - it took forever, but I did manage to get them clean!
2) What are you using for spot lighting that we see reflected in the pics?
Believe it or not, it`s a Costco work light! A buddy bought it for me, when I refused to take payment for helping him detail his Viper, haha. It is crazy bright - there are two brightness settings on each light, and I only ever use the lower setting.
3) How much time in terms of hours did you spend on the exterior for washing/decontamination, correcting and polishing, and final LSP application?
Hmmmmm - I am kind of loathe to admit this, hahaha - I know I am FAR less efficient than you guys, but that`s part of the beauty of not doing this as a profession. I can take my time, and enjoy spending time with awesome machinery! In all, I would estimate that I put in 44-ish hours in total. That was with Canadian Football, Wimbledon tennis, and Formula One going on in the background, mind you...haha. Those side strakes..... oh boy..... hahaha.
4a) What Defesko Paint Thickness Gauge (AKA; PTG) measurements values (IE; numbers) in microns or mils did you get?
I read in microns - the thickest was 182, on parts of the roof. The thinnest was an 82, on a front fender, I believe. There were a few panels that I couldn`t get a reading on, which I found strange - I know there are no composite panels on a Testarossa???
4b) Any areas that were a concern with those measurements that affected how you corrected or polished?
Yes, absolutely - I was super careful on the front fender - 82 microns of single stage seems likely OK, but just the difference between 82 and 182 was daunting, for me!
5) What brand of yellow painter`s tape were you using?
3M Automotive Refinish Masking Tape - I did a friend`s Gallardo Superleggera, he paints industrial equipment, and gives me cases of the stuff, in various sizes! I haven`t paid for masking tape in years! (And I do believe that the abundance of the stuff absolutely fuels my penchant for taping up everything in sight...hahaha)
6a) Although you did not need to wet sand with this detail, what do you use for abrasive papers for wet sanding?
This is an area where I really need to do some better research - I just use 3M wet/dry sanding paper, and really like 3M Trizact foam-backed sanding sheets.
I assume that in your new garage, running a water hose dribble for extensive wet sanding might be "cumbersome" or impossible at this point.
Yep, 100%!!! No running water in the garage, and likely not possible - the garage is detached from the condo building, and I`m not sure how I will be able to get water out to it. For now, the garden hose is just outside the garage, so it`s not too bad.
6b) Do you use a special solution mix to soak your abrasive papers in before wet sanding and if so, what is it?
Again, I am no expert, here, at all. I use a little ONR in distilled water, and soak overnight - please - anyone correct me, if this is a dumb idea!
I assume the interior or motor compartment was NOT part of this detail, since there is no mention of this nor any pics.
Yes, absolutely, hahaha - I really don`t enjoy doing engine bays, and interiors. I usually make it clear that my friends can do the engine bay and the interior of their own cars!
Kudos on the humor about the California duster. Yes, I am paying attention.
Hahahaha - good of you to pick it up!!!! Awesome work - gold star for you
Also kudos on the use of CarPro products. They are some of the best-of-the-best in car-care detailing products and your experience with them tells me they give you the results you and your clients desire for the vehicles that you detail.
I really do enjoy using CarPro products - they seem to be a company that really excels in R&D, and not just marketing over substance. My detailing jobs aren`t really for "clients" - I do this purely because I love it, mainly for friends in the car group that I belong to - that`s why the vast majority of cars I get to do are exotics I can`t justify charging them, so I just ask them to make a contribution to the local animal shelter. That way, everyone wins.
AND, thank you for wishing us American`s a Happy Fourth of July. It`s just "another day" for Canadians on the summer calendar.
With all that`s going on in America in terms of social, political, the economy, and recent Supreme Court rulings, the 4th of July has lost its meaning to many of its inhabitants and citizens. It`s still the greatest country in the world in my opinion, but that may not be the real-world experience or judgement for some. But that`s another issue I do not wish to get into, nor the focus of this forum or this particular post.
I agree with you - July 4th is such a fantastic tradition - it`s part of what makes the USA, the USA, and it is all the better for it!
Great detailing workmanship on this red Ferrari icon!! Again, thanks for posting the pics
You are SO welcome! As I have always maintained, I`m nowhere near the level you guys are putting out - I`m a family doc by trade, which I love, but as far as passion goes - give me a few days with an exotic car, and I couldn`t be happier!! I am just glad to contribute in some small way.
Thanks!!!!!
Bookmarks